Refrigerated Storage Case

ABSTRACT

The present application thus provides a refrigerated storage case for storing pre-selected items. The refrigerated storage case may include a number of compartments, a user interface configured to receive an access code and to unlock a predetermined compartment with the pre-selected items therein, and an evaporator coil configured to maintain the compartments at a chilled and/or a frozen temperature.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application and the resultant patent relate generally to arefrigerated storage case and more particularly relate to a refrigeratedstorage case with a number of consumer accessible compartments sized forstoring grocery orders and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retail stores such as supermarkets and the like generally have a numberof display cases such as refrigerated display cases with food and/orbeverages displayed therein. A consumer may enter the store, select thedesired items from the display cases or elsewhere, and proceed tocheckout. An increasing trend in supermarket sales, however, is the useof online shopping for groceries and other items. Instead of enteringthe store in person to select his or her items, the consumer may selectthe desired items online and then supermarket personnel may retrieve theitems and package them for later pickup or delivery. Other types ofremote ordering devices and methods also may be in use.

While waiting on pickup or delivery, supermarket personnel generallyeither use large coolers to store the prepackaged items or they simplymay leave the items on a countertop or other store location at anambient temperature. The use of the large coolers is generally notenergy efficient and may not be convenient for the consumer to find hisor her package. Further, leaving the items at ambient temperatures maycreate freshness issues and may allow any frozen items to thaw if thepick up or the delivery is delayed.

There is thus a desire for an improved refrigerated storage case forprepackaged groceries orders and the like. Preferably such an improvedrefrigerated storage case may maintain the items therein in arefrigerated or frozen state while also being energy efficient, easy forstore personnel to load items therein, and easy for consumers to removeitems therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application and the resultant patent thus provide arefrigerated storage case for storing pre-selected items. Therefrigerated storage case may include a number of compartments, a userinterface configured to receive an access code and to unlock apredetermined compartment with the pre-selected items therein, and anevaporator coil configured to maintain the compartments at a chilledand/or a frozen temperature.

The present application and the resultant patent further provide amethod for providing remote shopping or selection of one or more items.The method may include the steps of receiving an order for the one ormore items, providing an access code for access to a compartment in arefrigerated storage case, placing the one or more items in thecompartment of the refrigerated storage case, locking the compartment inthe refrigerated storage case, receiving the access code, and unlockingthe compartment in the refrigerated storage case to provide access tothe one or more items.

The present application and the resultant patent further provide arefrigerated storage case for storing one or more pre-selected items.The refrigerated storage case may include a number of compartments witha first door and a second door, a user interface configured to receivean access code and to unlock a predetermined compartment with thepre-selected items therein, and a refrigeration system configured tomaintain the compartments at a chilled and/or a frozen temperature.

These and other features and improvements of the present application andthe resultant patent will become apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art upon review of the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a refrigerated storage case as may bedescribed herein.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the refrigerated storage case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the refrigerated storage case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a refrigeration system for use with therefrigerated storage case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the refrigerated storage case of FIG. 1showing the storage bins within the compartments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to likeelements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3 show a refrigeratedstorage case 100 as may be described herein. Generally described, therefrigerated storage case 100 may include an outer frame 110. The outerframe 110 may be made out of any type of substantially weather proof orweather resistant materials such as metal, wood, thermoplastic,composites, and combinations thereof suitable for outdoor use. The outerframe 110 may be insulated via conventional materials and methods. Theouter frame 110 may have any overall size, shape, or configuration.

The refrigerated storage case 100 may include a number of compartments120 within the outer frame 110. The compartments 120 may have any size,shape, or configuration. Any number of the compartments 120 may be usedherein. Compartments 120 of differing size and shape may be usedtogether. The compartments 120 may be sized to accommodate a standardcarrying tote or box intended to hold prepackaged grocery orders and thelike. Moreover, certain compartments 120 may be sized for specific typesof items. Some or all of the compartments 120 may extend all the waythrough the width of the outer frame 110 or separate compartments 120may be used on the sides of the outer frame 110.

Each compartment 120 may be enclosed by an outer door 130. The outerdoor 130 may have any size, shape, or configuration. The outer door 130may include a panel 140. The panel 140 may be made out of a transparentor an opaque material with good insulating characteristics. The outerdoor 130 also may include a handle 150 or other type of hand grip toassist in opening the outer door 130. The outer door 130 may swing,fold, or roll open in any direction or fashion. The outer door 130 maybe secured via a locking mechanism 155. The locking mechanism 155 may bea mechanical and/or an electrical device such as a conventional solenoidand the like. Other types of locking mechanisms may be used herein.Other components and other configurations may be used herein.

The refrigerated storage case 100 also may include a user interface 160.The user interface 160 may be positioned about the outer frame 110and/or the user interface 160 may be remotely positioned. The userinterface 160 may include a video screen 170 or other type of visualdisplay. The video screen 170 may be a touch screen and/or a keypad 180may be used. Other types of data input and output devices may be usedherein. For example, the user interface 160 also may include wirelesscommunication devices such as a radio frequency identification readerthat may communicate with a proximity card. A barcode scanner,photoelectric cells, and the like also may be used. Likewise, the userinterface 160 may communicate via smartphone, tablets, and other typesof consumer electronic devices. Other components and otherconfigurations may be used herein.

The consumer thus may be given a code, a receipt with a barcode or withother types of authorization indicia thereon, an RFID card, a key, andthe like. Any of these communication means may be used to allow theconsumer to communicate any type of an access indication 185 to the userinterface 185 so as to gain access to a predetermined compartment 120.The user interface 160 also may include a payment device 190. Thepayment device 190 may be a credit card reader and the like. Theconsumer also may communicate with the user interface 160 so as topermit the return of articles for a refund or exchange. Other componentsand other configurations may be used herein.

The refrigerated storage case 100 also may include a controller 200. Thecontroller 200 may be any type of a programmable data processing devicewith any type of suitable memory storage devices. The controller 200 maybe positioned within or about the outer frame 110 or the controller 200may be positioned remotely therefrom. The controller 200 may be incommunication with the user interface 160, the locking mechanism 155,and the other components herein. Generally described, the controller 200may receive instructions on which compartment 120 contains which orderand the nature of the access indication 185. Many other types offunctionality may be used herein. The controller 200 may be incommunication with a number of sensors such as temperature sensors andthe like. The controller 200 may communicate via any conventional wiredor wireless means. Other components and other configurations may be usedherein.

As is shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerated storage case 100 also mayinclude a refrigeration system 210. The refrigeration system 210 mayinclude a number of external components 220 remote from the outer frame110. These external components 220 may include a compressor 230 and acondenser 240. An expansion valve 250 also may be used. The externalcomponents 220 may be used with a number of the refrigeration storagecases 100 or with other types of refrigerated display cases within thestore or elsewhere. The external components 220 also may be positionedwithin or about the outer frame 110.

The refrigeration system 210 may include a number of internal components260. The internal components 260 may include one or more evaporatorcoils 270 positioned within the outer frame 110. A number of fans 280may be positioned about the evaporator coils 270 so as to blow airthereacross. One or more inlet ducts 290 may extend from the evaporatorcoils 270 and the fans 280 to each of the compartments 120. Each of thecompartments 120 may have an inlet vent 300 and an outlet vent 310 so asto circulate the air therethrough. Likewise, one or more outlet ducts320 may be positioned about the outlet vents 310 of the compartments 120and in communication with the evaporator coils 270 and the fan 280 so tocomplete the air circuit. Alternatively instead of the vents 300, 310,the floors and walls of the compartments 120 may be out of mesh shelvingand the like to allow air to flow therethrough. One of the evaporatorcoils 270 may maintain some of the compartments 120 at a chilledtemperature while a second evaporator coil 270 may maintain othercompartments 120 at a frozen temperature. Other components and otherconfigurations may be used herein.

Generally described, a refrigerant fluid is heated and expanded in theevaporator coils 270 while removing heat from the compartments 120.Chilled air thus may be circulated through the inlet ducts 290 to eachof the compartments 120. The external compressor 230 compresses theheated refrigerant gas and force the refrigerant to the condenser 240.The condenser 240 transfers heat from the refrigerant and condenses therefrigerant such that the cycle may be repeated. In addition to phasechange refrigeration, other types of refrigeration or cooling may beused herein. For example, secondary cooling techniques and the like alsomay be used herein. Alternatively, heated compartments also may be used.Operation of the refrigeration system 210 may be controlled by thecontroller 200 or otherwise. The refrigeration systems 210 may bemanufactured under the Kysor/Warren brand of Heatcraft WorldwideRefrigeration of Columbus, Georgia. Other components and otherconfigurations may be used herein.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the operation of the refrigerated storagecase 100. Each compartment 120 may include a storage bin 330 therein.The storage bins 330 may be sized for one or more of the articles 340 tobe positioned therein and may have any shape or configuration. Thearticles 340 may be prepackaged grocery orders and the like. In thisexample, each compartment 120 may have a first side door 350 and asecond side door 360. The first side door 350 may be opened, the storagebin 330 may be slid outward, and the articles 340 may be positionedtherein. Likewise, the second side door 360 may be opened, the storagebin 330 slid out, and the articles 340 removed. As described above,certain compartments 120 may be set a refrigerated temperature whileother compartments 120 may be set a frozen temperature. Othercompartments 120 may be kept at an ambient temperature while evenfurther compartments 120 may be heated. The compartments 120 may be setat any desired temperature. Other components and other configurationsmay be used herein.

In use, a consumer may place an order for groceries or other types ofarticles 340 in person, by telephone, online, or by any other direct orremote method. The groceries or other articles 340 thus may be packagedor otherwise organized. Specifically, the groceries or other articles340 may be placed in a selected compartment 120 by store personnel andthe like and locked or otherwise secured. Automatic and/or roboticloading mechanisms also may be used. The compartment 120 thus may keepthe articles 340 therein refrigerated and/or frozen for an extendedperiod of time. A timer may indicate how long the articles 340 have beenpositioned within the compartment 120 to ensure freshness and quality.

The consumer may communicate with the refrigerated storage case 100 viathe user interface 160 or otherwise so as to gain access to the selectedcompartment 120 with any type of the authorization indication 185. Uponauthorization, the locking mechanism 155 on the selected compartment 120may be released. The appropriate door 130 may open automatically or theuser interface 160 may inform the consumer which door 130 to open. Othertypes of opening mechanisms such as foot pedal and the like also may beused. The consumer then may remove the groceries or other articles 340from the compartment 120. The consumer also may use the payment device190 to pay for the groceries or other articles 340 before being grantedaccess to the compartment 120. Other components and other configurationsalso may be used herein.

The refrigerated storage case 100 may be positioned inside or remotefrom a retail outlet or elsewhere. Further, the refrigerated storagecase 100 may be positioned about a wall of the retail outlet such thatthe first side door 350 may be positioned within the retail outlet andthe second side door 360 may be positioned outside so as to allow foreasy curb side pickup. Any location may be used herein. The refrigeratedstorage case 100 thus may be self-contained or part of the retail outletand tied into the refrigeration system of the retail outlet. Othercomponents and other configurations may be used herein.

It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certainembodiments of the present application and the resultant patent.Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the following claims and the equivalentsthereof.

I claim:
 1. A refrigerated storage case for storing pre-selected items,comprising: a plurality of compartments; a user interface; the userinterface configured to receive an access code and to unlock apredetermined compartment with the pre-selected items therein; and anevaporator coil; the evaporator coil configured to maintain theplurality of compartments at a chilled and/or a frozen temperature. 2.The refrigerated storage case of claim 1, further comprising aninsulated outer frame with the plurality of compartments therein.
 3. Therefrigerated storage case of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcompartments comprises an outer door and a locking mechanism.
 4. Therefrigerated storage case of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcompartments comprises a first door and a second door.
 5. Therefrigerated storage case of claim 1, wherein the user interfacecomprises a video display.
 6. The refrigerated storage case of claim 1,wherein the user interface comprises a payment device.
 7. Therefrigerated storage case of claim 1, further comprising a fan incommunication with the evaporator coil.
 8. The refrigerated storage caseof claim 1, wherein the plurality of compartments comprises one or morevents in communication with the evaporator coil.
 9. The refrigeratedstorage case of claim 1, further comprising an external compressor andan external condenser.
 10. The refrigerated storage case of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of evaporator coils and wherein a firstevaporator coil maintains a first compartment at the chilled temperatureand wherein a second evaporator coil maintains a second compartment atthe frozen temperature.
 11. A method for providing remote shopping orselection of one or more items, comprising: receiving an order for theone or more items; providing an access code for access to a compartmentin a refrigerated storage case; placing the one or more items in thecompartment of the refrigerated storage case; locking the compartment inthe refrigerated storage case; receiving the access code; and unlockingthe compartment in the refrigerated storage case to provide access tothe one or more items.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step ofplacing the one or more items in the compartment of the refrigeratedstorage case comprises placing the items in the compartment through afirst door and wherein the step of unlocking the compartment in therefrigerated storage case to provide access comprises unlocking a seconddoor.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising maintaining thecompartment in the refrigerated storage case at a predeterminedtemperature.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step ofmaintaining the compartment at a chilled or a frozen temperature. 15.The method of claim 11, wherein the step of receiving the access codecomprises receiving manual or wireless input.
 16. A refrigerated storagecase for storing one or more pre-selected items, comprising: a pluralityof compartments; the plurality of compartments comprising a first doorand a second door; a user interface; the user interface configured toreceive an access code and to unlock a predetermined compartment withthe pre-selected items therein; and a refrigeration system; therefrigeration configured to maintain the plurality of compartments at achilled and/or a frozen temperature.
 17. The refrigerated storage caseof claim 16, wherein the refrigeration system comprises a plurality ofinternal components and a plurality of external components.
 18. Therefrigerated storage case of claim 17, wherein the plurality of externalcomponents comprises a compressor and a condenser.
 19. The refrigeratedstorage case of claim 17, wherein the plurality of internal componentscomprises an evaporator coil and a fan.
 20. The refrigerated storagecase of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of evaporator coils andwherein a first evaporator coil maintains a first compartment at thechilled temperature and wherein a second evaporator coil maintains asecond compartment at the frozen temperature.